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 C O N T E N T S
PARQUE NATURAL
DEL ISLOTE DE LOBOS
Introduction 1 I S L A S C A N A R I A S Punta de la Tiñosa
Punta Martiño

Punta de la Vera
Ireland LOBOS
Description 3 Lanzarote Punta Blanca Corralejo El Puertito
Dublin United La Palma Punta Aguda Punta de Trivas
A bit of history 6 Kingdom Tenerife Punta de Tostón “Monumento Natural
Malpaís de Arena” PARQUE NATURAL
Trips 9 Fuerteventura
Roque DE CORRALEJO

La Oliva 9 London Cotillo Playa Alzada

Lajares
Playa del Castillo
Antigua 11 309
FV-10
La Gomera
Puerto del Rosario 13 Villaverde

Betancuria 15 El Hierro Gran Canaria

Punta de
Paso Chico La Oliva
FV-1
Paris Punta Uña de Gato
Tuineje 16 “Monumento Natural
Montaña de Tindaya”
531
Caldereta
Pájara 18 Playa de Tebeto
Tindaya “Paisaje Protegido
Vallebrón”
Playa de Janubio
Leisure 20 France Autovía
Expressway Puerto de
La Matilla Guisguey
Punta de la Tiñosa
Colonia El Time
Cantabrian Sea Primary básica 1er orden
Ctra. Red road los Molinos García Escámez Playa de Lajas
General information 24 Secondary road
Ctra. Red básica 2º orden Tetir
510 Puerto de Lajas
FV-10
Local road
Carretera local Tefía
Nautical sports centre
Puerto deportivo Playa de los Mozos
Casillas FV-3 Puerto del Rosario
Embalse de
Los Molinos del Ángel Tesjuates
Lighthouse
Faro
Playa del Valle Llanos de
Golf
Campo course
de golf FV-2 Playa Blanca
la Concepción
Portugal Airport
Aeropuerto Valle de La Ampuyenta
Madrid Nature park
Parque natural Sta. Inés Punta Gonzalo
Of touristic Punta Gorda “Parque Rural
Interés turísticointerest de Betancuria” 596
El Matorral
Punta del Tarajalito Playa del Matorral
Lisbon Betancuria Triquivijate Punta del Cangrejito
Antigua Nuevo Horizonte
S PA I N Puerto de la Peña
Emb. de
Las Peñitas
Vega del
Río Palmas
Atlantic Ocean OCÉANO Punta de la Nao Ajuí
FV-30 Valles de
FV-50 Puerto Castillo Punta del Bajo
Caleta de Fustes
Mediterranean Ortega Casillas
Las Salinas
Punta de la Canal Toto de Morales
Sea AT L Á N T I C O Caleta Blanca
Tiscamanita
Pájara “Monumento Natural
Ceuta Melilla Punta del Peñón Blanco Caldera de Gairía” Punta de Leandro
Tuineje Pozo Negro
FV-20
Ensenada de Toneles
C A N A RY I S L A N D S 495 Las Casitas “Paisaje Protegido
Malpaís Grande” Punta Toneles
Lanzarote Punta de Amanay
Montaña Teguital
619
Hendida Tesejerague Punta de las Borriquillas
La Palma “Monumento Natural Ensenada de Jacomar
Cardón El Charco Cuchillos de Vigán” Ensenada de Gran Valle

Tenerife Fuerteventura FV-2

Playas Negras Punta de la Entallada
Gran Canaria FV-56 Gran Tarajal Las Playitas
La Gomera Ginginámar
Punta de Piedras Caídas
Tarajalejo P
La Lajita Pla unta o Morro de Gran Tarajal
Matas Blancas Pla ya d e
El Hierro Costa Calma
Pla
ya
ya
de
de
l
l G
Gin ing
de lC
Pla
Ta olo gin inám
Punta Paloma Pu ya raj rad ám ar
nta de a o ar
Playa de Barlovento “Istmo de la Pared” de Ma l ejo
Front cover: Printed by: los tas
Pájara
Pu
nta
de Jandía ía Mo Bla
nd
N
Back cover: Text: EGRAF, S.A. Pu
nta de 515 lini nc
as
Botanical gardens, La Lajita PROGESMECA D.L. M. 30242-2006 Pu
Pe
se
Ba
rlo
El Islote
Playa de Cofete
Ja llos
nta bre ve
nto
Translation:
Co
tillo Cofete Jandía
807 de Playa de Sotavento de Jandía
a
Hilary Dyke NIPO: 704-06-074-1 nsul
P e n íPARQUE NATURAL
Published by: Photographs: DE JANDÍA
Esquinzo-Butihondo
0 5 10 15 20 Km
© Turespaña Archivo Turespaña / Punta de Jandía Playa de las Pilas
Solana-Matorral CARTOGRAFÍA: GCAR, S.L. Cardenal Silíceo, 35
Morro Jable
Secretaría de Estado Patronato de Turismo Playa del Matorral Punta del Matorral
Tel. 914167341 - 28002 MADRID - AÑO 2005
de Turismo y Comercio de Fuerteventura Printed in Spain o del Morro Jable cartografiagcar@infonegocio.com

Ministerio de Industria, Graphic Design:

Turismo y Comercio P&L MARÍN 2nd edition
 Introduction
A neighbour of Africa, very close to Europe and with deep cultural
ties in Latin America, Fuerteventura’s greatest charm lies in the
tranquillity emanating from its kilometres of golden sandy beaches
and clear, turquoise waters. Bathed in the shimmering reflection of
the briny deep, this peaceful island has delights in store for the
visitor in every nook and cranny.

On Fuerteventura, whose coastline is the longest of all the Canary

Islands’, time stands still.

Here we find solitary forests of giant cacti, ravines bespeckled with

clusters of tamarisk and palm trees (Vega de Río Palmas, for
instance), seagulls, salt marshes, birds belonging to the Chlamydotis
undulata, yellowish ochre and white in colour, with long black and
white feathers hanging from their necks, red squirrels and Egyptian
vultures. Curiously, although springs are few and far between, the
island seems to be enveloped in a film of water.

Stretching out over 139 km from Corralejo to Punta de Jandía, it

ranks second in the archipelago in terms of surface area.

At a distance of just 52 sea miles (about 100 km) from the continent
of Africa, it possesses the largest coastal platform of all the Canary
Islands, with a vast store of marine life which scuba divers find simply
irresistible. Above, the sea’s surface becomes the scene of spectacular
world windsurf championships, when sportsmen skim the waves at
breakneck speed and come to form part of the seascape.
Fuerteventura is an island where everything seems to take to the air,
while its unspoilt coastline basks in the heat of the all-powerful sun.

El Saladar. Jandía

1
It is as if the island could not
stand being hemmed in; as if it
were longing to feel the breeze
on its face and the wind in its
shell-bedecked hair. It appears
before us naked and it is with a
naked eye that we should survey
it. It is as if it were tailor-made
to give us a sense of freedom.
Enjoying more than 2,800 hours
of sunshine a year and an
average temperature of 22
degrees, the island tempts those
keen on water sports with its
modern tourist facilities at
Corralejo, Caleta de Fuste, Costa
Calma, Morro Jable and La
Pared and the up-to-the-minute
Port. Caleta de Fuste
2
nautical sports centres at
El Castillo, Corralejo, Gran
Tarajal and Morro Jable.
Nevertheless, the best way to
get to know the island is to visit
the historical-artistic site of
Betancuria (a town founded at
the dawn of the fifteenth
century by Jean de
Bethencourt), the great Casa de
los Coroneles at La Oliva and the
eco-museum, Ecomuseo de La
Alcogia, or take a boat ride to
the small island of Lobos, facing
Corralejo. There are many other
routes to choose from, some of
which we discover as we go
along: the island’s gentle relief
has nothing to hide and
everything to offer. Let’s
discover it now.
 Description
The minute the visitor steps
outside the airport terminal, he
falls victim to the island’s
powers of seduction.
Fuerteventura, a huge, gently
rolling plain, looks like a piece
of coastline which has come
apart from the continent. The
profile of this, the Canaries’
oldest island, is in a state of
constant change, brought on by
the effects of the wind. Because
of its geographical situation and
relief, its climate is arid, with
little rainfall and pleasant
temperatures. This, combined
with its long hours of sunshine
and exquisite beaches, makes
Fuerteventura into a unique
spot, described by Unamuno as
an oasis in the desert of
civilisation.
Betancuria
It was the first of the Canary
Islands to emerge from the
ocean and is the only one
where Africa’s continental shelf
may be seen to appear on the
sea’s surface. It also boasts a
large number of hanging
beaches, or areas of pressed
sand appearing atop the cliffs,
indicating that, at some stage,
the sea must have reached this
level.
On this long, thirsty island, there
are only three large dams (Las
Peñitas, Los Molinos and Río
Cabras) and lots of wells.
Fortunately, this innate lack of
water has been offset by the
installation of modern water
treatment plants. It is worth
noting that, as the island is
practically bare of vegetation,
geomorphological elements
constitute the salient features of
the landscape, which is home to
17 endemic plants.
Botanical gardens, La Lajita Oasis Park
Although Fuerteventura is of the
same origin as the rest of the
Canary Islands, a millenary
process of erosion has forged a
landscape of sparse vegetation
blending in with the hues of the
soil, in addition to a series of
rounded edges which are only
slightly reminiscent of the
exhilarating aggressiveness of
recent vulcanological
developments. Although the
island, which was formed 30
million years ago, has no active
volcanoes and has not witnessed
any major eruptions, it does
feature age-old malpaíses (lava
fields), such as the great mass of
lava hurled forth by the
volcanoes of Montaña la
Mancha, San Rafael and Bayuyo
during the Quaternary. The last
4
volcanic eruption took place
12 million years ago on the site
of Montaña de la Arena, in the
proximities of La Oliva,
Villaverde and Lajares. Signs of a
number of eruptions may also be
observed in the volcanic systems
of Malpaís Grande, Malpaís
Chico, Lajares and Gairía.
However, what strikes the visitor
most is the fascinating areas of
volcanic sand dunes, formed by
sedimentary matter carried by
the wind. In Corralejo, we find
beautiful white sand dunes; in
Morro Jable, fine beaches of
volcanic sand; and lastly, on the
La Pared Isthmus, sandbanks
and dunes running alongside
the dazzling waters of an
exuberant sea.
For all that, the peaceable island
of Fuerteventura resists
classification as just another
seaside resort in that it offers
the visitor a wide spectrum of
leisure activities: anything from
diving, scuba diving and
windsurfing to rural tourism and
trips of geological interest along
paths which may be travelled on
foot, by bicycle or on the back
of a camel; not to mention
cultural visits to the
archaeological sites, proud of
Theme park, La Lajita Oasis Park
5
their towering stone temples
wrapped in the mystical aura of
previous times. Then there is the
rural and domestic architecture,
the mills and windmills and the
forts, all intact despite the
passage of time. As for
birdwatchers, they will find a
golden opportunity to pursue
their hobby in completely
natural surroundings. In a word,
an endless range of possibilities
awaits anyone willing to venture
forth and discover them.
 Ahistory
bit of
In the sixteenth century, Nebrija
thought that the name of
Fuerteventura was equivalent to
luck or island of great fortune.
Similarly, Torriani stated that the
name derived from good
fortune (buenaventura),
because of Jean de
Bethencourt’s stroke of good
luck in discovering the island.
The original names were
Erbanía, from the Berber Windmill. Antigua
meaning rich in goats, and
Maxorata, from which the
present name of the inhabitants Before the arrival of the
(majoreros) derives. However, Europeans, a six-kilometre wall
the name which finally prevailed divided Fuerteventura into two
was Fortaventure, or the great kingdoms: Maxorata and Jandía,
fortunate one, chosen by both defended by the highly-
navigators and cartographers regarded Altahay warriors,
because the island was the known for their great bravery.
largest of those which, In the early fifteenth century,
according to classical tradition, Norman Jean de Bethencourt
were known as the Fortunatae landed on the island at Puerto
Insulae, or the Fortunate Isles. de la Peña and took up

Castle of San Buenaventura. Caleta de Fuste

6
residence in the Castle of
Valtarajal, an area of strategic
importance with the added
advantage that water was
readily available. He also built a
hermitage on the spot where
the Church of Santa María de
Betancuria now stands. For
several centuries, this area was
the capital of the island and also
the bishopric, the judicial
district, the insular parish and
the residence of civil, religious
and military authorities. In view
of the danger of pirate raids, a
number of defence posts were
set up on the island, such as the
castles and forts at Barranco de
la Torre, El Cotillo and Caleta de
Fuste. At the end of the
nineteenth century, Puerto de
Cabras, the present-day Puerto
del Rosario, became the island’s
capital and the six municipalities
into which the island is still
divided were constituted.
Although at one time
7
Fuerteventura had been
important as a supplier of
provisions to the larger islands,
there was a wave of emigration
until, in the seventies, the
discovery of its potential for the
tourism industry changed the
course of its destiny.
When it comes to farming,
Fuerteventura has not been too
well-blessed by nature as far as
hydraulic resources are
concerned. Through
perseverance and the
determination to overcome this
problem, the majorero farmer
came up with an original,
ingenious idea, consisting of a
system of dry-stone retaining
walls whereby most of the land
could be used to collect water.
The most important livestock is
the goat, a highly traditional
feature of country life and
producer of excellent milk.
Church of Santa María de Betancuria
The total herd numbers
approximately 50,000 semi-
stabled goats plus 25,000 in the
coastal region, which is where
the famous majorero cheeses
are made, entirely from goat’s
milk. Because of its outstanding
qualities, this cheese has been
awarded an appellation
d’origine, in addition to a
number of prizes and special
commendations.
The role of the goat as the
mainstay of the island’s
economy is reflected in the
special jargon used by goatherds
and breeders to identify each
goat by the colour of its hair,
the position of its various
coloured patches and the
typological characteristics of its
horns, ears and legs. Equally
significant is the existence of
buildings known as taros, used
solely for drying the cheeses.
Betancuria
8
Through history, as the
inhabitants’ livelihood has been
based mainly on farming and
cattle-breeding, the inland area
has tended to be more densely
populated than the coast.
Nevertheless, in the past, the
island engaged in intense
commercial activity through its
natural harbours at Tostón,
Puerto de la Peña, Pozo Negro
and Caleta de Fuste. Nowadays,
this activity has been transferred
to the ports at Gran Tarajal,
Corralejo, Morro Jable and also
Puerto del Rosario, the centre of
international trading.
Although the salient feature of
Fuerteventura’s monuments is
religious architecture, the visitor
should not miss other
archaeological points of
interest, such as domestic,
military, industrial and funereal
architecture.
 T rips
The throbbing beauty of the
beaches on this, the most sensual
and paradisiacal of the Fortunate
Isles, is complemented by cultural
treasures which give us an insight
into Fuerteventura’s signs of
identity, the vital force of its
history and, in a word, its very
essence.
Divided into six municipal districts,
this sunny land with its rolling
ochre and golden countryside has
countless secrets to tell.
La Oliva
According to the chroniclers,
this district, situated in the
north of Fuerteventura, was
named after the olive trees
which once grew in its soil.
9
Sheltered from the wind stands
the village of Corralejo, a
modern holiday resort set in a
white bay, complete with a
range of attractive leisure
activities combined with first-
class accommodation.
Holidaymakers will also be
drawn to the charming
seafaring atmosphere of El
Cotillo and the park, Parque
Holandés, both of which look
out towards the Strait of La
Bocaína and the island, Isla de
Lobos.
But if the visitor prefers to delve
in the fascinating local history,
then he should make a point of
going to Casa de los Coroneles
and Casa de la Cilla, where he
will be struck by the close
agricultural connections of an
island so frequently beset by
drought.
El Cotillo
Casa de Los Coroneles. La Oliva
Those who appreciate the
painstaking effort that goes into
needlework should visit Lajares,
where they may buy fine pieces
of majorero openwork,
embroidery and intricate
filigree, all produced by hand.
Nature has been generous to La
Oliva, endowing it with beauty
spots which have merited
classification as areas of special
protection so as to keep them
safe from aggression and
Montaña de Tindaya
10
deterioration. Such is the case of
the Listed Landscape of
Vallebrón, on whose northern
slope terraces and rows of
stones bear witness to the
intense agricultural activity of
former times. Other spots worth
visiting are the natural
monuments of Malpaís de la
Arena and Montaña de Tindaya,
a site with magical connotations
where over 200 podomorphic
engravings may be seen and
admired.
Even so, beyond any doubt, one
of the most spectacular places to
be found in La Oliva is the
nature reserve known as Parque
Parque Natural Dunas de Corralejo e Isla de Lobos
Antigua
Here, in the central-eastern
part of the island, lies the
small bay known as Caleta de
Fuste, where the horizon is
still surveyed by an
Caleta de Fuste
11
Natural Dunas de Corralejo e
Isla de Lobos, where nature in
all its purity and harmony may
be enjoyed to the full.
eighteenth-century fort, built to
defend the island from pirate
raids. This resort, together with
Nuevo Horizonte, is ideal for
family holidays because of its
convenient facilities and safe
beaches. Those wishing to take
a break in beautiful
surroundings will find
windsurfing and diving schools,
magnificent restaurants and a
modern nautical sports centre.
Antigua also boasts
Fuerteventura’s only 18-hole
golf course, situated just five
minutes away from the airport.
Designed for professional
golfers, it is equipped with all
the latest facilities.
As the visitor makes his way
round this district, he will be
spellbound by the beauty of the
park, Parque Rural de
Betancuria, the natural
monument known as Los
Cuchillos de Vigán, the listed
landscape of Malpaís Grande
and the natural monument,
La Caldera de Gairía.
The sober beauty of Antigua’s
mills and windmills tells us of
the prevalence of the trade
winds and the traditional use of
Montaña Gairía. Antigua
12
the plain for cereal farming.
Most certainly worth a visit is
the centre, Artesanía Molino de
Antigua, a complex consisting of
well-tended gardens of
autochthonous plants, cacti and
palm trees and also a mill for
making gofio (meal made from
wheat, barley or cornflour),
where the visitor may see
traditional engineering at work.
The complex also contains one
of Fuerteventura’s leading
modern art exhibition rooms.
One of the most colourful
festivities held in this district is
the pilgrimage called
Peregrinación de la Matilla,
which takes place in Valles
Ortega in September. Other
important events include the
Agriculture, Cattle-breeding and
Fisheries Fair (FEAGA), an
indispensable encounter with
the primary sector, and the
island’s Handicraft Fair.
 Puerto del Rosario
In Puerto del Rosario, the Juan
Bordes promenade, decorated
with gigantic shells, is dotted
with the head offices of the
island’s principal institutions.
The main gateway to
Fuerteventura, it is an important
commercial centre with a
seaport which has, in the course
of time, outgrown all the
island’s other ports. The
Matorral Airport is also in this Puerto del Rosario
district.

The promenade. Puerto del Rosario

13
La Alcogida. Tefía
The old fishing and cattle-
breeding town became the
capital city at rather a late
stage, at the end of the
nineteenth century. As we stroll
through the streets, we can still
observe some of the features of
which the islanders are
particularly proud, such as the
reminder of Miguel de
Unamuno’s stay in the 1930s.
Tefía, one of the farmsteads
scattered round the Tetir Plain,
is the site of the eco-museum,
Ecomuseo de la Alcogida, a rural
compound consisting of seven
homes restored to their original
design, where the visitor may
learn of how life was in the
olden days and also savour
traditional dishes.
14
The compound is complete with
wine cellars, wells and drains,
flour mills, pigsties and so on.
The capital of Blessed
Fuerteventura, as Unamuno
used to call it, holds its festivities
in honour of the Virgin of the
Rosary in early October, when a
colourful popular fiesta steeped
in a contagious atmosphere
takes place and the happy
disposition of the majoreros
comes to the fore.
Lastly, here, in the town where
Unamuno saw the sea for the
first time, there is a museum full
of reminders of the writer and
texts born of his hand. It is close
by the church, Iglesia del
Rosario.
 Betancuria
Betancuria, the location of the
first European settlement on the
Canary Islands, was the capital
of Fuerteventura for five
centuries. This historical-artistic
site is a reflection of the legacy
from the long period in which
the district held sway over the
rest of the island. The
architectural heritage of
Betancuria takes us back in time Vantage point. Morro Velosa
and, as we admire the Church of
Santa Ana, the Museum of
Sacred Art and the views of central Fuerteventura
Archaeological Museum, where as we look across at the park,
there is an exhibition of the Parque Rural de Betancuria,
extinct civilisation of the majos, which covers 91.2 percent of this
we can sense the atmosphere of district’s territory,
the way things used to be.
Vega del Río Palmas is the
Atop the massif we find the domain of the patron saint of
mirador or vantage point of Fuerteventura, Virgen de la
Morro Velosa, with a highly Peña. Of all the popular
recommendable restaurant traditions, the pilgrimage to the
where, in addition to trying out alabaster figure of the saint is
traditional dishes, we may also the most deep-rooted among
feast our eyes on the incredible the majorero people.

Vega de Río Palmas

15
Las Playitas. Tuineje
Tuineje
The territory of Tuineje is
bespattered with mills, tomato
plantations and a number of
curious constructions known as
taros, which are used to dry the
delectable majorero cheese, the
first goat’s cheese in Spain to be
awarded an appellation
d’origine.
In Tarajalejo and Gran Tarajal,
groves of leafy palm trees stand
side by side as the slender
Phoenix Canariensis and Phoenix
Datilera fan one another with
their enormous fronded
16
branches, the raw materials of
the island’s handicrafts. In the
old quarter of Tuineje, the
Berber legacy is observed in
clusters of houses of a colour
which makes them look as if
they had just sprung out of the
soil. This characteristic has its
origin in the settlements of
Moorish communities appearing
in the mid-fifteenth century.
The peaceful streets lead us to
a splendid vantage point, where
we may admire views of Caldera
de Gairía and Cuchillos de la
Virgen, both of which are listed
as natural monuments.The
magnificent Malpaís Grande is
of particular note.
Here, in Fuerteventura’s leading
agricultural and cattle-breeding
district, fishing is also important.
One of the island’s major ports,
Gran Tarajal, is a commercial
hub supplying most of the
southern-central area. In
September and October, the
remarkable beaches of black
sand, ideal for nautical sports,
are taken over by fishermen
eager to catch the much-
coveted marlin while groups of
onlookers watch with interest.
It is also the scene of the Church of San Miguel. Tuineje
International Deep-Sea Fishing
Championship, the major fishing
competition in these parts.
Tamasite, depicted on the
Every September 13 since 1740, rococo altarpiece in the Church
the inhabitants of Tuineje have of San Miguel. Tamasite is the
commemorated the day on name of the mountain from
which they gained victory over which the entire district may
English pirates in the Battle of be observed.

La Entallada Lighthouse. Gran Tarajal

17
 Pájara
Pájara is a compendium of all
the features to be found on
Fuerteventura: salt marshes,
sand dunes, mountain peaks,
gullies and watercourses.
It is worth noting that 60
percent of Pájara’s surface area
is under official protection and
that, on its borders, a unique
species of cactus known as
cardoncillo de Jandía is to be
found.
This district-cum-peninsula, split
off from the rest of the island by
the isthmus, Istmo de la Pared, is
the southernmost area of
Fuerteventura and the largest in
Pájara
18
all the Canary Islands. It is
edged by 70 kilometres of
prepossessing shoreline,
interspersed with beaches such
as Sotavento and the superb
sands of Cofete. This is the
location of the first-class holiday
resorts of Costa Calma, Solana-
Matorral and Esquinzo-
Buhitondo. In addition to the
beaches of shimmering golden
sand, it is a haven for scuba
divers, windsurfers and
backpackers.
There are also two important
fishing towns in the district: to
the north, Ajuy, with its own
particular seafaring ambience,
and to the south, Morro Jable,
adjacent to one of the island’s
leading tourist resorts.
Sotavento
Moving inland, in the midst of
a carpet of ochre hues, stands
the village after which the
district is named, Pájara, where
we will find the church built in
honour of the Virgin, Virgen de
Regla. The portico, with its
Morro Jable
19
depictions of feathered heads,
pumas, suns and serpents, all of
an unquestionable Aztec
origin, is one of the most exotic
and interesting designs to be
found throughout the Canary
Islands.
 Leisure
As we have said, Fuerteventura
resists classification as just
another seaside resort. Thanks
to the excellent roads, it is
possible to cover the island from
one end to the other in just
90 minutes. The treasures with
which this land is blessed are
scattered all over its geography,
providing a whole range of
ideas for enjoyment.
While it is true that
Fuerteventura’s greatest appeal
lies in its beaches, its wide, open
spaces, drenched in sunlight,
invite the visitor to devote some
of his time to outdoor pursuits.
The rough, singed countryside is
the perfect setting for
exhilarating, adventure sports
like hang-gliding, abseiling,
trekking, cycling and so on.
Pathways lined with vegetable
species run through scenery of
great geological and ecological
value. In completely natural
surroundings, crowned by a
clear, unfailingly blue sky, the
Canary Islands’ finest display of
birds and animals may be
admired. The virgin coastline of
Fuerteventura makes for an
ideal habitat, haunted by a
considerable number of
endemic and migratory species.
At one and the same time, the
wind acts as the architect of the
island’s landscape and as its
loyal friend, constantly
endowing it with exceptionally
good conditions for surfing the
gleaming waves. Every July and
August, the World Windsurf
Championship is held on the
Sotavento beaches. There are
two categories: free style, first
seen on Fuerteventura in 1997,
and race and slalom. More
recently, it was decided to
include the spectacular kite
category, in which participants
are at the mercy of the
whimsical movements of their
kites. For sailing, the best
stretches of coastline are Jandía
in the south and Corralejo in the
north.
Part of the Atlantic Ocean, the
clear and luminous depths of
Fuerteventura’s waters, a
photographer’s paradise, are
inhabited by quite exceptional
sea creatures. The archipelago’s
largest coastal shelf is home to
390 species of fish. Close by any
of the reefs, schools of tuna,
pedregal and barracuda will be
seen swimming along. There are
two main areas: Barlovento and
Sotavento, with spectacular
underwater displays. From
Corralejo to Punta de Pesebre, it
is quite safe to go diving.
Moreover, because of the
pleasant, year-round
temperatures, divers will be in
their element whatever the
season.
As for accommodation, the
hotels are the epitome of
comfort. They are equipped
with all nature of sports
facilities, where guests may
choose from a whole range of
sports: tennis, squash, golf,
swimming, sailing, water-skiing
and surfing.
All this is enhanced by the
quality of the service, which has
earned the islands’ hotels an
excellent reputation. Managed
by teams of first-class
professionals, who make sure
that everything, right down to
the last detail, is simply perfect,
the hotels give their guests the
quality they expect. It is not
surprising that anyone who
visits Fuerteventura comes away
with a great sense of
satisfaction and makes plans to
return.
In the inland area, leisure
activities revolve round a
number of tours during which
we have the chance to admire
the magnificent architectural
legacy. The visitor is strongly
recommended to take the mill
route, bearing in mind that, for
years, mills have been an
indispensable element in the life
of the majorero peasant, whose
livelihood has depended largely
on grain. Each mill has its own
characteristics and constitutes
an identification mark of the
place in which it is situated.
Now, to finish our brief
introduction to majorero
culture, a few words about the
varied traditional cuisine, where
prime quality raw materials are
the essential ingredient of
simple dishes prepared from
goat’s meat, fish and the fruits
of the earth, bathed with
flavoursome mojos (a sauce
made with olive oil, the flesh of
a hot red pepper, salt, parsley
and coriander).
 Tourist information
The best way to get to know
Fuerteventura is to trace a series
of itineraries so as to cover the
most outstanding features in
short stages.
When it comes to touring the
island, the visitor is advised to
hire a car or book a seat on one
of the tours organised by the
travel agencies and hotels,
whose itineraries include the
most interesting spots in the
island’s geography.

We may reach the island by sea

or by air. There is one, extremely
well-communicated airport,
along with three major ports
running services from one island
to another: Corralejo, in the
north, provides transport to
Lanzarote, where trips to Isla de
Lobos are organised; Puerto del
Rosario runs services to Gran
Canaria and Tenerife; and Morro
Jable specialises in tourism and
sports activities.

22
It is a good idea to call at any of
the Tourist Information Offices
which the Fuerteventura Tourist
Board and local corporations
have set up all over the island.
The offices have full information
about accommodation, leisure
activities and so on.
The visitor will never be at a loss
for something to do as all the
island’s districts have busy
monthly cultural programmes,
together with facilities where a
wide range of sports may be
practised.
As business hours at shops,
restaurants and pavement cafés
are fairly flexible, it is easy to
find somewhere open at any
time of day. There is always a
duty chemist close at hand and a
medical emergency unit. It is
customary to leave tips if the
service provided by the waiter,
the taxi-driver or the bellboy has
proved satisfactory.
Fuerteventura’s own, essential
characteristics. They are fully
equipped with all modern
conveniences so as to make the
visitor’s stay a pleasant one.
Lastly, those who wish to do a
few hours’ shopping should
make a beeline for the busy
streets of Puerto de Rosario or
any of the tourist resorts (El
Castillo, Morro Jable, Costa
Calma, Corralejo and so on). The
best places for handicrafts are
Lajares, Molino de Antigua and
the eco-museum at La Alcogida,
not forgetting the handicraft
shop situated in the airport. Fine
articles, guaranteed as having
been made in the best majorero
tradition, are available at all
these outlets.

The island’s touristic areas are

specifically adapted to suit
visitors’ tastes and needs and, as
a result, the range of different
services grows wider all the
time. There is, for instance, a
sizeable network of rural
cottages, buildings which reflect

23
 GENERAL INFORMATION
International dialling code % 34
TOURIST INFORMATION
TURESPAÑA
www.spain.info
Turismo de Canarias
www.canarias-turismo.com
Tourist Board
Almirante Lallermond, 1
35600 Puerto del Rosario
% 928 530 844
www.fuerteventuraturismo.com
Fuerteventura Inter-Island Council
Rosario, 7
35600 Puerto del Rosario
% 928 862 300
www.cabildofuer.es

TOURIST OFFICES
Betancuria. % 928 878 092 Gran Tarajal. % 928 162 723
Caleta de Fuste. % 928 163 286 Morro Jable. % 928 540 776
Corralejo. % 928 866 235 Puerto del Rosario. % 928 850 848

TOURISM ASSOCIATIONS
La Oliva Tourism Initiative Centre % 928 163 103
% 928 866 235 Las Palmas Federation of
Association of Hoteliers and Hoteliers and Tourism Specialists
Tourism Specialists % 928 532 418
% 928 530 220 Rural Tourism Association,
Association of Businessmen and Fuerteventura Rural
Tradesmen, El Castillo de Antigua % 928 878 705

TRANSPORT
AENA (Spanish Airports and Air www.naviera-armas.com
Navigation) Fred Olsen Shipping Line
% 902 404 704 www.aena.es % 902 100 107
Trasmediterránea www.fredolsen.es
% 902 454 645 Highway Information
www.trasmediterranea.com % 900 123 505
Armas Shipping Line www.dgt.es
% 928 851 542

USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS

Emergencies % 112 Municipal Police % 092
Medical Emergencies % 061 Citizen Information % 010
Civil Guard % 062 Post Office % 902 197 197
National Police % 091 www.correos.es

SPANISH TOURIST INFORMATION OFFICES ABROAD

CANADA. Toronto % 1416/961 31 31
Tourist Office of Spain ) 1416/961 19 92
2 Bloor Street West Suite 3402 www.tourspain.toronto.on.ca
Toronto, Ontario M4W 3E2 e-mail: toronto@tourspain.es